Part 1 in the series –Your Salvation is Assured
There are many ways to fail in life, but the only way to succeed is to be intentional. We all have things in our lives we want to improve—yet when the changes start to feel overwhelming, we often give up too soon.
Ultimately, the only thing that’s going to make a difference in your life is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That ONE THING is the foundation that every single intentional thing you endeavor to do should be built on.
Over the years I’ve learned that intentional living is the only way out! Either you let circumstances control you or you take responsibility for what’s under your control. You may not be able to make big, life changes overnight, but by committing to follow through on one small thing every day, you can inch yourself closer and closer to your goal.
I pray this series of blogs will help you grow in faith with the full assurance that your salvation is assured, and the confidence to make your first one thing a strong foundation in Christ. And I trust you will share the blogs with others to help them grow as well.
Salvation Belongs to You
In many ways our world is very different from Jesus’ time on earth, and yet the core of the challenges in life then and now remain the same. Oppression, lies, deceit, emotional hurts and difficult seasons of life still persist today.
Your personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the foundation every intentional thing you do should be built on.
Before Jesus died, He told those who followed Him they would be severely persecuted by those who hated Him, but in the face of horrific persecution, they should always hold on to hope, assured that salvation belonged to them (Matthew 10:22).
Difficult seasons serve to separate true believers from fair-weather Christians. When the pressure is on and it feels like someone turned up the heat, you can dig your heels in deep and stand firm. Christ in you is your hope for glory. Your steadfast endurance is evidence you are truly committed to God and a witness to others of God’s love for you.
Just like the believers of old, we need single-minded, purposeful endurance. We can hold firm to our faith and trust God that eventually we will win the race. Romans 8:11 says the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in us. That power infuses us with strength to overcome the trials of this life.
Who is Jesus?
Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God. He came so that you might live. Forever.
God loves you and cares about you. He created you. And, He wants to have a personal relationship with you—beginning now and lasting throughout eternity in heaven.
No matter who you are or what you have done, God will receive you into His family… if you invite Him.
Jesus Christ offers you hope, peace and joy forever. Trust Him right now as millions of people have done, and experience True Hope for yourself. Here’s how …
- God Loves You!
The Bible says, “ God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die” (John 3:16 NCV).
The problem is that …
2. All of us have done, said or thought things that are wrong.
This is called sin, and our sins have separated us from God. The Bible says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NIV). God is perfect and holy, and our sins separate us from Him forever. The Bible says the cost of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
But the good news is that, about 2,000 years ago …
3. God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.
Jesus is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NIV).
Jesus rose from the dead, and now He lives in heaven with God His Father. He offers us the gift of eternal life—of living forever with Him in heaven if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Jesus said “I am the way andthe truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me” (John 14:6 NIV).
God reaches out in love to you and wants you to be His child.
“As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name” (John 1:12 NKJV). You can choose to ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and come into your life as your Lord and Savior.
4. If you want to accept Christ as your Savior and turn from your sins, you can ask Him to be your Savior and Lord by praying a prayer like this:
“Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you into my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always.”
Remember the Thrill of Your Salvation
When a man and woman fall in love, it’s fresh, exciting and new. They think about one another and anticipate the time when they can be together again. Similarly, new believers are thrilled to find God, who has loved them since the beginning of time, Jesus, who gave everything so that they could be restored to the Father, and the Holy Spirit, who comforts and guides them.
As time passes, often the man and woman become familiar with one another and the new begins to wear off. What initially attracted them to one another can become an irritation instead of something they appreciate.
The words of the Lord from Revelation 2:4-5 have a similar connotation. “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place” (NIV). The church in Ephesus, to whom these verses are written, had become familiar in their relationship with God. The thrill of their salvation waned.
When the passion and hunger for God, and our relationship with Him, becomes too carefree, it’s time to evaluate it.
Have you forsaken your first love, as the Scripture calls out? Is it time to hit the restart button and step into relationship with God fresh and anew?
Some “One Things” you can do to help you remember the thrill of your salvation:
- Make a list in your Bible of the things you remember that most excited you about your relationship with God when you felt the closest to Him.
- Sit down in a quiet place.
- Talk to Him about those things.
- Ask Him to ignite a fresh new passion in you for Him.
Saved on Purpose
God’s divine plan to offer salvation to every person on earth came with a purpose. That purpose far exceeds just the personal salvation you have. He saved you so that you will be with Him for all eternity, but He also desires to experience life with you here on earth. He gifted you with salvation so you could work with Him to bring others into the family of God and live your life for Him.
Ephesians 2:10 says, “God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That’s why he sent Christ to make us what we are” (CEV). Thankfulness to God in response to His gift of salvation moves us. Our hearts move closer to God and a genuine desire to please Him.
The two verses preceding the one I just shared says, “You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about” (Ephesians 2:8-9 CEV).
Your salvation is something only God can do in you. You are His specific work of art, fashioned by His hand. Service to Him should be a natural expression of your gratitude for all He’s given to you.
Your salvation is so much more than access to heaven. Allow your thankfulness to God for His unconditional love and gift of salvation to move you to act. Celebrate His free gift by offering His love and kindness to others.
